With a record for helping some of the bad-boys of tennis make major climbs, guiding Henman should be the definition of a stress-free experience for Stefanki, a boyhood friend of John McEnroe and a former touring professional.

Related Articles

Stefanki took Chilean Marcelo Rios from 125th in the world to No 1 in 1998. He also worked alongside the talented Yevgeny Kafelnikov as the Russian moved from outside the top 10 into the elite, winning the 1999 Australian Open along the way.

When Stefanki parted company with Kafelnikov in May after an on-off relationship and Henman split with David Felgate in April after eight years together, it was just a matter of time before their paths would meet. The pair have been working for only 2.5 weeks and already Stefanki is excited about a possible top five standing for the current No 8 in the points race.

"Tim's a first-class act," Stefanki said. "I was excited when he rang me. We're a good fit and we have the same ideas on many things. I can see the determination in his eyes. His style speaks for itself, this is more of a partnership than anything else."

The mentor said that Henman's spring on his own with only his fitness trainer and wife Lucy making up his "team," was a useful learning experience. "He's matured after being on his own. He had time to think and that helped him."

Stefanki, who is committed to 30 weeks a year on the road, said that he would not willingly leave a wife and three children in California and return to the touring grind for just any player.

Henman is a special case - one in which he believes. "I didn't come back to the ATP for a job. It's not easy making such a big commitment again, but I think we're on the same page when it comes to working hard and other key qualities."

With three Wimbledon semi-finals, Henman knows the frustration factor, but Stefanki says his man has no emotional baggage.